What is Wrong, Georgia? – Commentary by John Griffin

What in the hell is wrong with Georgia citizens? Has crazy Atlantonia thinking now so permeated the population that no one calls political grandstanding acts into question?

Driving to pick up my dad at the airport, (he was coming back from his month long vacation in South Georgia visiting family and friends), the radio news here in central Washington announced as a news flash...

"Georgia Governor Sonny Purdue declared May 25 vote for Diana Degarmo Day as American Idol in the state of Georgia. That evening he will host a VIP reception at the Governors Mansion...."

This makes national news, and we can not get an official day honoring our ancestors into the news, even on the back page? How many honored guests of the descendants of the Confederate Veterans were invited to a VIP reception to celebrate Confederate Heritage and History?

I just about ran off the road with rage, at first because of the hypocrisy, then secondly the lackluster or no response from anyone to blast this trivial accomplishment being heralded as a significant event. My 2 hour drive to the cemetery, to first clean grave sites before picking up my dad, saw a lot of white knuckled driving as I choked the life out of the steering wheel in anger.

Of all the problems that need executive action in the state, education, health care, heritage preservation, crime and safety, roads, Veterans issues....on and on and on, elected officials and citizens are focused on TV show and spending the day "voting?"

I have nothing against the lady. I don't watch that kind of TV and frankly don't care anything about it. It is entertainment, a fluff, not the bread of life. It is a diversion, it is not the reason we are here.

Didn't anyone else see this backhand slap when we consider the efforts we have made to promote our history and heritage and it takes a back seat to an "entertainment event?"

Is the battle lost? Are there just so few of us left who actually have any care about heritage that they are just waiting for us to tire out and to die off?

Oh there will be some bravado, perhaps even in response to my tirade here, but does it really matter? Will it make a difference? Will it accomplish anything for our heritage?

I realize I am nearly 3000 miles removed from the daily news and perhaps there have been citizens raising the point. For the politicians it is all about money, power, control, becoming popular rather than doing what is right. Stage any event to be in the public eye and turn your back on real issues and important historical remembrances.

I see where our emails [ SCV Georgia Division emails ] are below 300 for this month, slowed to a trickle with little communication, exchange, or developments. Perhaps this has evolved into a forum where there is little confidence or effect in communicating here.

If we can't see that now we must lay down our in-fights and differences and focus on a common goal and put maximum efforts into heritage preservation, then all is lost, maybe not today, but soon.

So next time you email, or phone or write to criticize a Southern Heritage Fighter, think about what you will accomplish. Are you doing what you do for "Them-the Confederate Veterans" or are you doing it for YOU? Do you honor the charge or use it for your own edification?

Instead attacking each other, I urge you to find some common point of agreement and rather than trying to prove that you are "right" do the "right" thing by trying to build a united front, focusing on a common goal, to preserve heritage. Find the strength that each individual can bring to the fight, look beyond the failings we all have.

Not everyone has the same skills, so do a talent inventory and place people in areas where they will be effective. Don't put someone into an education role if they don't have a full grasp of the history, don't put someone in member retention if they don't get along well with people, don't put people in lobby situations if they do not know how to work the political "oil slick".

My focus is education, not entertainment. Anyone see the hypocrisy in this latest act of the governor or am I overreacting?

Maybe the State of Georgia has been so diluted that they do not deserve the Southern Heritage legacy that is inherent to the natives.

John Griffin is Webmaster for the John K. McNeill SCV Camp #674, Moultrie, GA www.scv674.org, who describes himself as "exiled in Washington state."